068 11/15/02 5:05 PM Page 68 TERMS & NAMES READING SOCIAL STUDIES Explain the significance of each of the After You Read following: Review your completed chart. Using 1. Rio Grande the information in each column, Mapping Texas Lands 2. Coastal Plains region write your own definitions for Texas can be divided into 3. North Central Plains region physical geography and human regions of similar landforms, geography. Then, with a partner, 4. Great Plains region climate, and precipitation. discuss the following questions: 5. Mountains and Basins region Which key words reflect the physi- 6. census cal geography and human geogra- phy of your town or city? How has REVIEW QUESTIONS the physical geography had an Mapping Texas Lands (pages 46–50) impact on the human geography? 1. Which is likely to change more GEOGRAPHY over a ten-year period, an area’s physical geography or Physical Human Geography Geography its human geography? Explain. 2. Why do you think average temperatures decrease as Mapping Texas People elevation increases? People are drawn to some Identifying the Four Regions of regions more than others Texas (pages 52–57) because of climate, natural resources, 3. Rank the four regions of Texas or the availability in order from largest to small- of jobs. est. How might life in Texas differ if this order were reversed? 4. Based on your knowledge of CRITICAL THINKING Texas regions, what type of Drawing Conclusions physical geography would you expect to see in northern 1. What do you think is the value Mexico? in eastern New of understanding the physical Mexico? in southern Okla- geography of Texas? Identifying the Four homa? in western Louisiana? Drawing Conclusions Regions of Texas Mapping Texas People (pages 61–67) 2. What do you think is the value of understanding the human Three of the four 5. Why do you think a city’s main geography of Texas? regions can also form of industry might change be divided into over time? Making Predictions subregions with 6. How have economic factors led 3. How do you think the physical similar vegetation, to the growth of Texas cities? and human geography of Texas rainfall, and other Explain how this has changed would be different if the state physical features. many Texans’ jobs and occupa- did not sit on the Gulf of tions over time. Mexico? 68 ✯ Chapter 3 068 11/15/02 5:05 PM Page 69 MAP & GEOGRAPHY SKILLS CHAPTER PROJECT Applying Skills Visual Presentation Divide into groups of three or four students. Each group should select GREAT one of the four regions of Texas. Using presentation PLAINS software or poster board and markers, work with your group to create a visual presentation about your NORTH assigned region. Include information about your CENTRAL PLAINS region’s climate, important weather events, notable MOUNTAINS AND landforms, natural resources, important cities and BASINS COASTAL industries, interesting trivia, and so on. Be sure to PLAINS include visuals with your data. When you have finished profiling your region, work as a class to give a cumula- tive presentation on the four regions of Texas. NOL CH OG E Y T • SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY • S E O C C N I & SOCIETY ACTIVITY The map above shows natural regions. How might E 1. E I T Y C you divide Texas differently to show population S High-Tech Regions Silicon Valley in regions? California is a region known for its heavy concentra- 2. What if the four regions of Texas were not yet tion of high-tech industries. Working with a partner, named? Create a descriptive name for each region use the Internet and other resources to research where based on its unique physical geography. high-tech industries are located in Texas. Indicate these places on an outline map of the state. Then SOCIAL STUDIES SKILLBUILDER identify the regions where these industries seem to be Reading a Bar Graph concentrated and give each region a name to describe the businesses there. Present your information to ESTIMATED MAXIMUM GROWING SEASONS the class, explaining how you determined each region and name. 350 330 310 CITIZENSHIP ACTIVITY 290 Keep Texas Clean 270 Texas is special because 250 of its variety of physical features. 230 Days Per Year Per Days Sometimes people not only use the land 210 around them but also harm it by littering and 0 polluting. Working in groups of three or four, create a public service campaign to keep Texas clean. First, Llano Basin High Plains Piney Woods Grand Prairie research the litter and pollution laws in Texas for Post Oak Belt Cross TimbersRolling Plains BlacklandGulf Prairie CoastalSouth Plain Texas Plain Edwards Plateau background information. Next, think of a slogan for Subregions your campaign. Finally, write a 30-second public service announcement to air on television or radio to deliver your message. 1. What is the theme of this graph? 2. Which subregion has the longest growing season? Go to www.celebratingtexas.com to research this topic. 3. On the basis of these differences in growing seasons, what might you infer about climate and precipitation in the different subregions of Texas? Texas Regions ✯ 69.